If you're interested in bread making but haven't tried your hand at it before, or you're looking for something a bit different, I nearly always recommend soda bread, like this fruit loaf.
It's super easy to make and very quick as there's no proving or kneading.
For this recipe I've replaced the more traditional buttermilk with Onken Plain Grain, a slightly sweetened plain yogurt made extra delicious with addition of 5 grains - Barley, Oats, Rye, Wheat and Rice. I've also added some fruit and nuts to make this loaf extra special.
And let me tell you, the crumb turned out even better than I hoped it would! The yogurt made the whole thing just that little bit extra chewy and the fruit loaf was sublime when served sliced and toasted, topped with sliced banana, honey and a drizzle of Onken Plain Grain for the perfect Summer treat.
So, on with the cooking! Here’s how to make this fab recipe for a healthy summer breakfast, which makes one large loaf.
Ingredients
For the loaf
- 250 g (8.82 oz) wholemeal self-raising flour (self rising flour) (plus up to 50g when shaping)
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 450 g 1 pot Onken Plain Grain
- 1 medium free range eggs
- 30 g (1.06 oz) sunflower seeds
- 20 g (0.71 oz) raisins
- 20 g (0.71 oz) dried apricots chopped
- 15 g (0.53 oz) pumpkin seeds
- 15 g (0.53 oz) dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
To top the toast for two
- 2 bananas sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rolled oats
- 4 tbsp Onken Plain Grain
Equipment
Instructions
To make the loaf
Pre-heat the oven to 200C/390F fan (220C/430F). Mix the flour, bicarb and salt in a large bowl.
Add the Onken Plain Grain and mix well.
Add the egg and mix well.
Add the fruit and nuts and mix well.
Tip the dough onto a well floured surface. Knead very briefly to form into a round. If it's too sticky, keep adding flour to your board and kneading through.
Lift the dough onto a tray lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with the oats, then score some 1cm deep lines in the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. To test if the loaf is baked through, turn the loaf over and tap on the bottom to see if it sounds hollow.
Leave the loaf to cool on a wire rack.
Allow to cool completely before eating. Store in an airtight container until ready to eat.
To make the topped toast
Once cool, cut the loaf into 1cm slices.
Toast 3 slices per person, then top with sliced banana, a squirt of honey, a scattering of oats and side of Onken Plain Grain.
Enjoy!
Which fruits would you add to make the perfect fruit loaf?
Looking for more delicious recipes featuring summer fruits? These yogurty breakfast muffins are a popular breakfast treat!
Print this fruity soda bread loaf recipe
Homemade Fruit Loaf Recipe with Summer Berries
Ingredients
For the loaf
- 250 g (8.82 oz) wholemeal self-raising flour (self rising flour) (plus up to 50g when shaping)
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 450 g 1 pot Onken Plain Grain
- 1 medium free range eggs
- 30 g (1.06 oz) sunflower seeds
- 20 g (0.71 oz) raisins
- 20 g (0.71 oz) dried apricots chopped
- 15 g (0.53 oz) pumpkin seeds
- 15 g (0.53 oz) dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
To top the toast for two
- 2 bananas sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rolled oats
- 4 tbsp Onken Plain Grain
Instructions
To make the loaf
- Pre-heat the oven to 200C/390F fan (220C/430F). Mix the flour, bicarb and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the Onken Plain Grain and mix well.
- Add the egg and mix well.
- Add the fruit and nuts and mix well.
- Tip the dough onto a well floured surface. Knead very briefly to form into a round. If it's too sticky, keep adding flour to your board and kneading through.
- Lift the dough onto a tray lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with the oats, then score some 1cm deep lines in the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. To test if the loaf is baked through, turn the loaf over and tap on the bottom to see if it sounds hollow.
- Leave the loaf to cool on a wire rack.
To make the topped toast
- Once cool, cut the loaf into 1cm slices.
- Toast 3 slices per person, then top with sliced banana, a squirt of honey, a scattering of oats and side of Onken Plain Grain.
Video
Nutrition
This is a commissioned post for Onken.
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Stephanie Merry says
I really struggle with healthy breakfast ideas but this looks great - thanks for sharing x
Jessica says
I've never been big on bread making, but I'm convinced to try. This looks delicious and very easy to make. I'm going to pin this so I can try making it soon.
Rachel says
I absolutely love the sound of this and as someone who eats at least one banana a day, I like how you have included them here x
Jenni says
I haven't had soda bread in years! It looks verh easy to make and a its good that you don't need to knead of prove it! As I have never made bread before so good for beginners
Jane @ northernmum says
Oh that looks lovely!
Melanie says
Looks scrummy and that Onken Plain Grain looks like an ideal topping too :) x
Lauretta at Home and Horizon says
This is just a perfect breakfast. I love your posts. It makes me want to stay in the kitchen longer so I can try your recipes.
Sarah Bailey says
Ohh I love a good piece of fruit loaf and what an amazing idea to make it yourself at home, I am going to have to try it over the weekend as I bet it is so much nicer than premade!
Gareth Torrance says
You know what? I've never once had fruit loaf of any kind! But it looks really nice and seems pretty easy to make!
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Ooohhh.... Not tried making fruit loaf yet..... another one to add to the list! x